513 King St. Releases Name of Restaurant and Chef

Union Provisions is expected to open early June at 513 King St.

Speculation over the massive remodel of 513 King St. has had tongues wagging, but today City Paper got the story. Co-owners Ben Russell-Schlesinger and Robert Young shared that their American brasserie-style restaurant, expected to open in early June, shall be called Union Provisions.

“Originally we thought we wanted to do a 1920s union theme — you know when the unions were all forming. I was born on Union Street in San Francisco, and this is a union of food and wine, so that kind of came in too — also a union of community,” says Russell-Schelsinger. Incidentally, the men both had a shared dream of opening their own corner grocery stores, thus the provisions title.

While details about the menu are thin, Russell-Schlesinger and Young report that the concept is small plates in a shareable format with a lively atmosphere featuring one menu for lunch and dinner. “We want to use local where and when we can, but refined, shareable dishes is what we’re going for,” says Young.

Leading the kitchen will be chef Shane Whiddon. Most recently the chef de cuisine at Colt & Alison Sea Island Company in Sea Island, Ga, Whiddon formerly worked at Charleston Grill under Bob Waggoner and later Scott Crawford. “I actually knew him when I worked as a server at Charleston Grill, and when we found out he was looking, we got in touch with him,” says Young. As far as the rest of the team, the co-owners are still in the hiring process so no details yet regarding a cocktail program. However, the restaurant will feature a nearly floor-to-ceiling wine wall and guests can expect a wide variety of wine options, though no particular region will be the focus. The space will seat 125 with parking for 15 in back. Russell-Schelsinger says there might be a valet option as well.